The Nizag Section of the Kapak Ñan
The Andean Road Network
Kapak Ñan translates from Kichwa to mean “royal path” or “great road.” It refers to the Andean Road System constructed by the Inka Empire. The entirety of the system contains nearly 30,000 kilometers of road stretching from Colombia to Chile and Argentina. For the Inka, it was extremely important for connecting cultural and economic centers throughout the extensive empire. The expansive Inka Empire reached its territorial height in 1530, with the Andean Road System greatly contributing to its economic and military strength.
Following a lengthy nomination process beginning in the early 2000's, Kapak Ñan was granted status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. This helps with restoration efforts for many archaeological sites, as much of the road system is susceptible to damage from tourism, natural disasters, and vegetation growth.
UNESCO map including the entirety of the Andean Road System and its World Heritage Sites.
History of the Kapak Ñan in Ecuador
Of the 693 kilometers of the Kapak Ñan that UNESCO has declared a World Heritage Site, Ecuador is home to 109 kilometers. Additionally, Ecuador has 49 of the 308 archaeological sites declared by UNESCO.
"Ecuadorians are rare and unique beings: they sleep peacefully in the middle of roaring volcanoes, they live poor in the middle of incomparable riches and rejoice with sad music."
This section of the Kapak Ñan was used by Alexander von Humboldt during his journeys through the region. Humboldt, a German explorer, traveled through Ecuador from 1799 to 1804. Along the way, Humboldt climbed many of the region's volcanoes, including Chimborazo. He traveled to Guayaquil via the Andean Road System from Chimborazo. Humboldt documented thousands of species of plants, discovered the Humboldt Current along the Pacific Coast, and recorded data about elevation's impacts on climate and plant life. His work earned him the title "Father of Ecology."
Tomebamba
Modern-day Cuenca was built upon the ruins of the Inka city of Tomebamba. The Inka Emperor Huayna Capac selected the city to become the empire’s northern capital. While unclear, it is possible that Huayna Capac was born in the city during his father’s conquest of the territory. His love for the city, an area that had been occupied by Kañary people for centuries (Guapondeleg), fueled further construction. The emperor built a royal palace in Tomebamba and modeled the city after Cuzco. Stories from Spanish soldiers, as well as archaeological evidence, indicate that massive stone building blocks were transported from Cuzco to Tomebamba. This feat would have been done by workers, traveling over 1,600 kilometers. After Huayna Capac’s death, his two sons engaged in a civil war in order to gain power. During this war, just before the Spaniards arrived, the city of Tomebamba was largely destroyed. However, the city's status as a secondary capital of the empire indicates how important modern-day Ecuador was to the Incas.
Ingapirca
Moving north from Tomebamba along the Kapak Ñan is the city of Ingapirca. After the Kañary were defeated by the Inka, the two groups lived together in the city. The Inka expanded the city and constructed important astronomical temples. Today, one of Ecuador’s most intact Inka ruins, the Temple of the Sun, still partially stands atop a hill. Ingapirca, meaning “Inka Wall” in Kichwa, was an extremely valuable astrological site, also serving as a strategic military stop.
Achupallas
From Ingapirca, the Kapak Ñan continues north to Achupallas. Achupallas, just southeast of Guasantos, is located in the Aluasí canton of the Province of Chimborazo. The Achupallas-Ingapirca road linked Tomebamba with the Nizag region. This section of the Kapak Ñan was vital for connecting the Inka regional capital city with the northern extents of the empire.
Nizag
See below.
The Community of Nizag
Nizag is a Kichwa community of roughly 2,000 people located in the Aluasí canton of the Province of Chimborazo. The people of Nizag have a strong cultural heritage that has been passed down for generations. Their strong cultural heritage, as well as the natural attractions of the region, attracted many tourists through the Transandean Railroad (Ferrocarril Transandino del Ecuador). This national railroad was popular among tourists, bringing them through Aluasí to visit La Nariz del Diablo. Visitors could see the nearby community of Nizag, their rich culture, and pieces of the Kapak Ñan. The women of Nizag continued a long tradition of using cabuya fibers to create fabrics and other products, but with a new emphasis on selling them to tourists.
Unfortunately, the state-owned railroad company closed in 2020 due to an economic crisis. As before the introduction of the railroad, the people of Nizag continued to rely on their long cultural heritage and knowledge of the land. Vital to this cultural heritage is the use of the flora of the region in every aspect of life. This ethnobotanical knowledge—knowledge of the relationships between plants and humans—is still widely used today in Nizag. Much of the community’s ethnobotanical knowledge has been passed down since the Incas, with the Kapak Ñan greatly influencing the region’s many uses of the flora.
Sections of the Kapak Ñan near Nizag, Ecuador
Ethnobotanical Knowledge
The western flank of the Andes is home to thick cloud forests. Here, clouds from the coast cannot move past the steep mountains, resulting in a hotspot for biodiversity and a unique setting for plant life to flourish. The various uses of the flora in this region have been especially important to indigenous groups for many generations. The Kichwa of Nizag report using the flora for many purposes, including food, medicine, construction, agricultural production, tools, artisanal products, and more. Botanical knowledge is a vital part of indigenous cultures and has been a significant contributor to the historical identity of these groups.
The Andes are marked by various ecological systems found at different altitudes. The Kapak Ñan was vital for connecting these different levels within the Inka Empire, fostering the exchange of ethnobotanical products. This vertical distribution of goods was the basis of the Inka economy, as each ecological system complemented each other.
An example of commonly used ethnobotanical knowledge among the Kichwa of Nizag is the use of cabuya fibers. Cabuya (Furcraea andina) is a plant native to the tropics of the Americas and is closely related to agave. Its strong fibers are incredibly useful for creating a variety of products. This plant is commonly found in the mountains of Ecuador and can be seen growing along the Kapak Ñan.
The fibers are stripped from the plant and boiled. They can then be used to create string and ropes. "Shigra" is a Kichwa term for a bag used by women to collect and carry food and seeds. This is just one of many uses of cabuya, exhibiting an important ethnobotanical product that is still used today.
These sections of the Kapak Ñan are still in use by the communities today. Its presence has helped shape the culture and knowledge of the people in the region. Historically, it was crucial for the exchange of economic goods, culture, and knowledge, and it continues to be a vital part of the community today.
